Brighter Days: Add a Sunroom to Improve Mental Health

A sunroom or conservatory is a great addition to nearly any home. It’s a more cost-efficient expansion option than a garage. Minnesotarusco.com adds that a beautiful custom sunroom significantly increases the resale value of any house. It can be used in a variety of ways, too, such as a recreational room, indoor garden, or outdoor dining area.

The pros of having a sunroom go beyond the practical and aesthetic. It offers health benefits, as well. Its all-glass walls and roof allow you to get your daily dose of sunlight. Exposure to sunlight, in turn, signals your skin to produce vitamin D each morning.

Strengthens the Immune System

Different studies have long linked vitamin D to a boost in the body’s immune system. The results of one such study showed that school children with higher levels of vitamin D had nearly 40 percent fewer cases of type-A influenza than their counterparts.

Stronger immune systems have been linked to better mental health, as well. A growing body of research on immune systems and mental health suggests that people with higher rates of inflammation have a higher risk of developing depression than people with healthier immune systems.

Although more studies are needed to verify the findings, many scientists agree that the mind and body have a two-way relationship — physiological issues may affect your mental health, while psychological problems may worsen physical health.

Triggers the Release of Serotonin

A sunroom can improve your mental health by exposing you to more sunlight, which is linked to the production of one your body’s happy hormones. When certain areas in your retina are exposed to sunlight, it triggers the release of serotonin. The hormone not only helps improve your mood but also makes you more focused. It also helps you feel calmer.

Serotonin is associated with reducing the likelihood of developing depression. It aids in regulating social behavior, as well. In fact, inducing serotonin production through light therapy is one of the treatments for seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression that’s linked to the changing seasons.

Improves the Circadian Rhythm

An irregular sleep schedule may impair your brain’s ability to recognize the morning and evening hours. With a disrupted circadian rhythm, your body produces more melatonin during the day. The hormone, however, is what prompts you to sleep. It should normally only be produced at night.

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